September 9, 2011:Monthly ITS Meeting
(Absences: Brandie,
8:00 - 8:30 Snacks, visiting, corrections to Carole's photo page, baby shower "kitty"
9:00 - 12:00
- Welcome, Introductions, and "Thank you's" Thank you for doing what you've done so far this year. New ITS - Michelle Kincaid from Odessa, Texas at Cedar Valley and Brian Wolfe former TAG teacher at Voigt at Brushy Creek and McNeil Item to discuss in April - End of year cleaning procedures for computers
- The most shocking surprises in my new role Valerie set of a portable alarm and then locked her keys in the portable Leslie tethered herself to the elevator and played telemundo for the whole school over the broadcast Michelle found a computer taped to the side of a desk with clear tape Robert Autrey's recliner broke :) Donna has been working full time this year and realizing how much work it is to have two campuses Sandy experienced a fire in the roof at Westwood Brandie got run over by a COW and tore ligaments in her ankle Nicole's teachers brought down the network at Jollyville Patsy had a question about dress code for ITS
And Brandie wins the ACE award! 100 Grand Awards go to four people
- E-mail and Open Records discussion (Ed) Thank you for a smooth start to the schoolyear What is open record? - Letter from a law frim stating that the following things can be required All paper and electronic documnets, voice mails, text messages, meeting agendas etc. Documents required can be any document related to the suit. It doesn't matter where the documentation exists, if you have documentation in regards to litigation, you must furnish that documentation When things are deleted from Lotus Notes, they are gone for good. -Parent question about internet filtering policy We do not put an internet filtering software on consoles. We use a multi-faceted approach (see the email response handout from Ed) Our first line of defense is stringent monitoring of students using computers We offer educational search engines that are protected Sometimes when new filters are installed, things that worked in the past no longer work. If this happens, contact Ed with the URL -Review of Email client See handout from Ed - proposal to review current email system and make recommendation We will put together a taskforce to determine whether we should upgrade Lotus Notes or moved to a cloud based solution such as google or microsoft. Based on the email recommendation, there may be other system changes Proposal was - make a recommendation no later than the end of November ITS will represent the teacher view on the email taskforce -$12 Million Budget Excess Right now, there is a budget excess. Dr. Chavez asked for 1 time requests tha\t would last at least 3 years and is not currently in the budget. There is talk of property tax relief for the community. Some of the $12 million will probably go to this cause. About $3 million is currently requested for instruction. The list so far in priority order - Tablet devices for administrators for PDAS (Galaxy Samsung 10 inch) and for ITS Eduphoria has an Ap that administrators can use to do the PDAS evaluation and the district perfers the Galaxy.
Cables strung across the room are pulling AV plates out of the wall. Contractors have to be brought in to do wall work. These kind of jobs may have the expense passed back to the campus. Try to protect cords with furniture or tape them down to the floor, or the instructional PC should be located near the plug.
- Installing non-district owned equipment (MJ and Ed) Part of the Acceptable Use Policy states that personally owned equipment cannot be installed in schools. If you are being nice and installing this equipment, it creates problems for people who are following the rules. ITS need to spend their time supporting the district equipment. We need to be able to contol our environment. If someone asks for support, the answer should be "we don't support that, it's not a district owned device". Even donated items still need to be approved.
- MSTAR discussion (MJ, JU, Donna, Vickie,) What is the ITS responsibility with MSTAR? Hopefully all students will be in TMSDS by Monday. Follow the directions that come from Janet. Donna made ID labels with the student login and test code. Login labels were put on blank paper to be used for scratch paper. Donna reports that the test went smoothly and took under an hour. Vickie gives a list of student logins to teachers beforehand to check and see if their students are on the list Students need to be entered into both TMSDS and MSTAR. Teachers may need to assign students to their class. Test codes will be posted. At Elementary all of 5th Grade needs to take the test. The MSTAR window is open until September 30th. There are lots of questions to be answered. We will have answers by Wednesday. This test is a universal screener, but for the sake of consistency accomodations that will not change the test content can be used. This is really a campus and ARD committee decision. Block one class period only for the MSTAR since it's just a screening test (campus decision as well) This is a mandatory algebra screener to identify students who may have problems in algebra and need intervention - The first administration is foundational skills, middle of the year is bridging skills to determine who might need to be moved out of or in to intervention. The last screener is a target to identify students who are on grade level. It is mandatory to administer this test three times in the school year. It is not TEKS based, it's more of a diagnostic tool. We will be given documentation on what the test is, where to access the test and how to find and interpret the data - early next week Change your password in TMSDS that is something you don't mind other people having access to
- Read 180 (Sunny,Janet, Donna) Donna Perez is taking over Read180 Donna and Marcela uploaded all students on August 31st ITS should have sent OUs and Host Names to Donna Perez to push out the new icons If you don't have icons, email Jan OUs or Host Names for PCs that need student icons and those that need teacher icons Other questions, contact Donna Perez Teachers or Donna can upload students manually if they didn't submit names already One teacher at each campus will be trained to manage accounts (Donna will send a list of trained teachers) Donna is at 464-5143
- Communication with SpEd support (JU, MJ) ........ Angela Solis, Lesa Cearley, Hannah Markowitz Angela Solis works on Inventory and equipment, Lesa and Hannah are doing the assistive technology piece. They can help with boardmaker and clicker and FAC type programs. As long as HostNames for SPED PCs have been identified, they will have workstation rights to be able to help those sped people. When they work on computers, they will fill out a form and leave it with the campus ITS.
- Project Share Information (MJ) ............. Need Help Logging Into Project Share On the Teacher Guides wiki, there is a Project Share link. This is where you should be sending teachers who have questions about project share. Staff members (excluding paras) who were uploaded last year can also get their password on Teacher Guides No one should be contacting epsilen directly Administrators were trained at the Superintendent's leadership retreat.
............. Leadership Retreat Presentation document (RA and JU) ............. eCampus Course - coming soon
- Social committee information - Linda Social committee sends birthday cards, hosts happy hour and end of year party, bridal and baby showers, sends gifts for loss of family member Dues are $20. Checks are made out to Round Rock ISD with ITS Social Committee in the memo Checks can be brought to the next meeting or sent to Linda at Callison Please put your DL # on the check for the deposit.
- Guidelines for split campuses: .......... Sign in and out at front office or with administrative assistant. Where are you signing in? Should be using the District Level sign-in sheet. Swipe your badge on the campus as a back up so that there is a record that you were on campus. .... ..... Greet front office staff upon arrival. The front office should know that you are on campus. .......... Follow on-campus hours the same as is required of the campus teachers (high school/middle/elementary hours vary). ...........Avoid Friday assignment at alternate campus unless you are assigned to RRHS or SPHS. .......... Be consistent with the schedule. Make as few exceptions as possible. The campus staff needs to know who they can count on and when. .......... Use the help ticket system to manage technical and instructional support. This is good when someone subs for you .......... Divide duties appropriately (i.e. one person assigned to support SpEd technology integration). .......... If you do not have a master key, set up a system so that alternate ITS has access to a master key. .......... Post schedule in the Lotus Notes signature line along with campus phone numbers. .......... Admin should know how to contact ITS. .......... Lead (full time) ITS will receive high school related communications/emails and should share with alternate ITS's as needed. .......... Make sure Mary Jo, Robert/Jeff, and campus principals are aware of absences. .......... Do not travel between campuses during the days except for emergencies only. If there is an emergency, please sign in and out at each campus. Don't call Tech Ops to check something on your other campus until you've had a chance to check it, especially if it can wait.
- Promethean ActivCafe (ActivCafe Round Rock ISD - 2011.pdf)
- Maintaining and creating "Raving Fans" (table talk and report out)
- TCEA Registration (MJ) ........ Registration process ........ TCEA Bill Me screenshot.doc ........ Register for the premium ($257.00) Academies, workshops register quickly because clases fill up fast. ........ Complete registration by October 1. ........ If your TCEA email is something other than your RRISD email, let MJ know what it is.
- Procedure for Sub Reimbursement can be found in grab\stuff - RA and JU Procedures are on [[file:\\grab\stuff|\\grab\stuff]] This year, you need to plan carefully and determine what you really need to train on There is money for people to train 1/2 day for each teacher on campus, but you are not locked in to that schedule Submit proposals for reimbursment by October 1st.
- Climate Survey Results (MJ) Can be found in [[file:\\grab\stuff|\\grab\stuff]] Your input is requested in the Department Improvement Plan
- Input on Department Improvement Plan (located in grab\stuff) (MJ) Lunch
1:30-1:35 Sign-up for Cohorts
1:35-2:00 Breakouts
- High School teams (not optional)
- I’m drowning.....any words of advice?
- Maintaining Robotics Initiative (funding sources, coaching, mentoring, etc.)
- Coolest thing my campus did since the start of school
- Review and provide input on Department Improvement Plan
- Mentor time
2:00-3:30 Cohorts (Last 15 minutes everyone shares 2 “cool things” and discusses questions)
(Note: Cohorts will be meeting throughout the school year.)
- Middle School TEKS & 8th Gr. Literacy Tech assessment (backwards planning)
- Creating guidelines for students bringing own hardware & develop Social Media Guidelines
- Updating Teacher Guides Wiki
- K-2 Breaking down new Tech Teks and share changes, plans for implementation
- 3-5 Breaking down new Tech Teks and share changes, plans for implementation
- Promethean (supporting instruction of high stakes TEKS with interactive flips)
- SMART (supporting instruction of high stakes TEKS with interactive Notebooks)
- Managing and supporting Moodle
(Absences: Brandie,
8:00 - 8:30 Snacks, visiting, corrections to Carole's photo page, baby shower "kitty"
9:00 - 12:00
- Welcome, Introductions, and "Thank you's"
Thank you for doing what you've done so far this year.
New ITS - Michelle Kincaid from Odessa, Texas at Cedar Valley
and Brian Wolfe former TAG teacher at Voigt at Brushy Creek and McNeil
Item to discuss in April - End of year cleaning procedures for computers
- The most shocking surprises in my new role
Valerie set of a portable alarm and then locked her keys in the portable
Leslie tethered herself to the elevator and played telemundo for the whole school over the broadcast
Michelle found a computer taped to the side of a desk with clear tape
Robert Autrey's recliner broke :)
Donna has been working full time this year and realizing how much work it is to have two campuses
Sandy experienced a fire in the roof at Westwood
Brandie got run over by a COW and tore ligaments in her ankle
Nicole's teachers brought down the network at Jollyville
Patsy had a question about dress code for ITS
And Brandie wins the ACE award!
100 Grand Awards go to four people
- E-mail and Open Records discussion (Ed)
Thank you for a smooth start to the schoolyear
What is open record? - Letter from a law frim stating that the following things can be required
All paper and electronic documnets, voice mails, text messages, meeting agendas etc. Documents required can be any document related to the suit.
It doesn't matter where the documentation exists, if you have documentation in regards to litigation, you must furnish that documentation
When things are deleted from Lotus Notes, they are gone for good.
-Parent question about internet filtering policy
We do not put an internet filtering software on consoles. We use a multi-faceted approach (see the email response handout from Ed)
Our first line of defense is stringent monitoring of students using computers
We offer educational search engines that are protected
Sometimes when new filters are installed, things that worked in the past no longer work. If this happens, contact Ed with the URL
-Review of Email client
See handout from Ed - proposal to review current email system and make recommendation
We will put together a taskforce to determine whether we should upgrade Lotus Notes or moved to a cloud based solution such as google or microsoft.
Based on the email recommendation, there may be other system changes
Proposal was - make a recommendation no later than the end of November
ITS will represent the teacher view on the email taskforce
-$12 Million Budget Excess
Right now, there is a budget excess. Dr. Chavez asked for 1 time requests tha\t would last at least 3 years and is not currently in the budget.
There is talk of property tax relief for the community. Some of the $12 million will probably go to this cause. About $3 million is currently requested for instruction.
The list so far in priority order -
Tablet devices for administrators for PDAS (Galaxy Samsung 10 inch) and for ITS
Eduphoria has an Ap that administrators can use to do the PDAS evaluation and the district perfers the Galaxy.
Cables strung across the room are pulling AV plates out of the wall. Contractors have to be brought in to do wall work. These kind of jobs may have the expense passed back to the campus. Try to protect cords with furniture or tape them down to the floor, or the instructional PC should be located near the plug.
- Installing non-district owned equipment (MJ and Ed)
Part of the Acceptable Use Policy states that personally owned equipment cannot be installed in schools. If you are being nice and installing this equipment, it creates problems for people who are following the rules. ITS need to spend their time supporting the district equipment. We need to be able to contol our environment. If someone asks for support, the answer should be "we don't support that, it's not a district owned device". Even donated items still need to be approved.
- MSTAR discussion (MJ, JU, Donna, Vickie,)
What is the ITS responsibility with MSTAR?
Hopefully all students will be in TMSDS by Monday.
Follow the directions that come from Janet. Donna made ID labels with the student login and test code. Login labels were put on blank paper to be used for scratch paper. Donna reports that the test went smoothly and took under an hour.
Vickie gives a list of student logins to teachers beforehand to check and see if their students are on the list
Students need to be entered into both TMSDS and MSTAR.
Teachers may need to assign students to their class. Test codes will be posted.
At Elementary all of 5th Grade needs to take the test. The MSTAR window is open until September 30th.
There are lots of questions to be answered. We will have answers by Wednesday.
This test is a universal screener, but for the sake of consistency accomodations that will not change the test content can be used. This is really a campus and ARD committee decision.
Block one class period only for the MSTAR since it's just a screening test (campus decision as well)
This is a mandatory algebra screener to identify students who may have problems in algebra and need intervention - The first administration is foundational skills, middle of the year is bridging skills to determine who might need to be moved out of or in to intervention. The last screener is a target to identify students who are on grade level. It is mandatory to administer this test three times in the school year. It is not TEKS based, it's more of a diagnostic tool.
We will be given documentation on what the test is, where to access the test and how to find and interpret the data - early next week
Change your password in TMSDS that is something you don't mind other people having access to
- Read 180 (Sunny,Janet, Donna)
Donna Perez is taking over Read180
Donna and Marcela uploaded all students on August 31st
ITS should have sent OUs and Host Names to Donna Perez to push out the new icons
If you don't have icons, email Jan OUs or Host Names for PCs that need student icons and those that need teacher icons
Other questions, contact Donna Perez
Teachers or Donna can upload students manually if they didn't submit names already
One teacher at each campus will be trained to manage accounts (Donna will send a list of trained teachers)
Donna is at 464-5143
- Communication with SpEd support (JU, MJ)
........ Angela Solis, Lesa Cearley, Hannah Markowitz
Angela Solis works on Inventory and equipment, Lesa and Hannah are doing the assistive technology piece. They can help with boardmaker and clicker and FAC type programs. As long as HostNames for SPED PCs have been identified, they will have workstation rights to be able to help those sped people. When they work on computers, they will fill out a form and leave it with the campus ITS.
- Project Share Information (MJ)
............. Need Help Logging Into Project Share
On the Teacher Guides wiki, there is a Project Share link. This is where you should be sending teachers who have questions about project share.
Staff members (excluding paras) who were uploaded last year can also get their password on Teacher Guides
No one should be contacting epsilen directly
Administrators were trained at the Superintendent's leadership retreat.
............. Leadership Retreat Presentation document (RA and JU)
............. eCampus Course - coming soon
- Social committee information - Linda
Social committee sends birthday cards, hosts happy hour and end of year party, bridal and baby showers, sends gifts for loss of family member
Dues are $20. Checks are made out to Round Rock ISD with ITS Social Committee in the memo
Checks can be brought to the next meeting or sent to Linda at Callison
Please put your DL # on the check for the deposit.
- Amazing Race (Robin and Shannon)
- Video from Superintendent's Leadership Retreat - From 211˚ to 212˚… It's the Extra Degree that Matters
Talk about this at lunch if you haven't seen the video.
- Guidelines for split campuses:
.......... Sign in and out at front office or with administrative assistant. Where are you signing in? Should be using the District Level sign-in sheet. Swipe your badge on the campus as a back up so that there is a record that you were on campus.
.... ..... Greet front office staff upon arrival. The front office should know that you are on campus.
.......... Follow on-campus hours the same as is required of the campus teachers (high school/middle/elementary hours vary).
...........Avoid Friday assignment at alternate campus unless you are assigned to RRHS or SPHS.
.......... Be consistent with the schedule. Make as few exceptions as possible. The campus staff needs to know who they can count on and when.
.......... Use the help ticket system to manage technical and instructional support. This is good when someone subs for you
.......... Divide duties appropriately (i.e. one person assigned to support SpEd technology integration).
.......... If you do not have a master key, set up a system so that alternate ITS has access to a master key.
.......... Post schedule in the Lotus Notes signature line along with campus phone numbers.
.......... Admin should know how to contact ITS.
.......... Lead (full time) ITS will receive high school related communications/emails and should share with alternate ITS's as needed.
.......... Make sure Mary Jo, Robert/Jeff, and campus principals are aware of absences.
.......... Do not travel between campuses during the days except for emergencies only. If there is an emergency, please sign in and out at each campus. Don't call Tech Ops to check something on your other campus until you've had a chance to check it, especially if it can wait.
- Promethean ActivCafe (ActivCafe Round Rock ISD - 2011.pdf)
- Maintaining and creating "Raving Fans" (table talk and report out)
- TCEA Registration (MJ)
........ Registration process
........ TCEA Bill Me screenshot.doc
........ Register for the premium ($257.00) Academies, workshops register quickly because clases fill up fast.
........ Complete registration by October 1.
........ If your TCEA email is something other than your RRISD email, let MJ know what it is.
- Procedure for Sub Reimbursement can be found in grab\stuff - RA and JU
Procedures are on [[file:\\grab\stuff|\\grab\stuff]]
This year, you need to plan carefully and determine what you really need to train on
There is money for people to train 1/2 day for each teacher on campus, but you are not locked in to that schedule
Submit proposals for reimbursment by October 1st.
- Climate Survey Results (MJ)
Can be found in [[file:\\grab\stuff|\\grab\stuff]]
Your input is requested in the Department Improvement Plan
- Input on Department Improvement Plan (located in grab\stuff) (MJ)
Lunch
1:30-1:35 Sign-up for Cohorts
1:35-2:00 Breakouts
- High School teams (not optional)
- I’m drowning.....any words of advice?
- Maintaining Robotics Initiative (funding sources, coaching, mentoring, etc.)
- Coolest thing my campus did since the start of school
- Review and provide input on Department Improvement Plan
- Mentor time
2:00-3:30 Cohorts (Last 15 minutes everyone shares 2 “cool things” and discusses questions)
(Note: Cohorts will be meeting throughout the school year.)
- Middle School TEKS & 8th Gr. Literacy Tech assessment (backwards planning)
- Creating guidelines for students bringing own hardware & develop Social Media Guidelines
- Updating Teacher Guides Wiki
- K-2 Breaking down new Tech Teks and share changes, plans for implementation
- 3-5 Breaking down new Tech Teks and share changes, plans for implementation
- Promethean (supporting instruction of high stakes TEKS with interactive flips)
- SMART (supporting instruction of high stakes TEKS with interactive Notebooks)
- Managing and supporting Moodle